Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Manon Schalk, Owner of Carnet D'autre Part located in Montréal, QC, CA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Carnet d'autre part offers reading boxes including a novel and elements that will allow the reader to feel, visualize, taste, touch, and deepen... the story they are being told. The goal is to make the reader feel part of the story!

By noticing how reading for pleasure is declining among the population, Carnet d'autre part was created to offer a more ludic and interactive way of reading to anyone who wants to start opening books again or simply those who want to read more – whether they are teens or adults!

Tell us about yourself

My name is Manon, and I try to live by the things that drive me every day. I have three passions in life: literature, writing, and travel. And I was determined to combine these three passions in a single project.

A few years ago, as I imagined myself traveling the roads of Switzerland with Maria, the heroine of the author Paulo Coelho, or discovering the native forests through the words of Michel Jean, I had this idea of trying to make the stories I read more concrete, by creating an immersive reading box where it is possible to live the story alongside the characters. How? Through smells, tastes, photos, and more.

Passionate about reading, my greatest wish is to bring this activity back to light and show the world how fun it can be.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Well, quite frankly, I'd say just getting started. I questioned myself a lot about whether I could do it or not, and finally, the best way to find out is to try. So big high five to me for taking the risk!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Have visibility. It's so frustrating to know that hundreds of people would be interested in your products... if only they knew you existed! I often feel like my company is drowning in a sea of ads, so getting noticed is a real challenge.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. You won't be able to do everything by yourself, that's for sure. So, delegate and ask for help. Your business will grow much faster.
  2. Be organized. This is probably the thing I struggle with the most, but it makes life so much easier.
  3. Have a strong social media presence!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://carnetdautrepart.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carnetdautrepart/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carnetdautrepart/


If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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